An MP campaigning for safety improvements to a bridge plagued by rat-running drivers has accused council transport chiefs of not doing enough to tackle the problem.

An MP campaigning for safety improvements to a bridge plagued by rat-running drivers has accused council transport chiefs of not doing enough to tackle the problem.

Bob Blizzard, who represents Waveney, has been angered by Suffolk County Council's stance over the Borrow Road railway bridge in Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft.

He demanded action after being shown evidence that the bridge has been structurally damaged by excessive traffic and collisions at the site, which is used as a rat-run by motorists travelling to and from Lowestoft.

Network Rail has pledged to carry out repair work in the spring, but Mr Blizzard has also called for county transport chiefs to improve signage and bring in safety measures at the single lane crossing.

However, Mr Blizzard has now been told the area does not meet the investigation level for a local safety scheme because council criteria for measures have not been met.

Mr Blizzard said: “Early last year when I contacted them on this matter, they did not feel that improvements were necessary. Now a year later, when there has been a definite deterioration in the state of the bridge and real safety issues for road and rail users, their response remains the same.

“To say there have not been enough accidents for a safety scheme or appropriate measures to be taken seems absurd. There have been several accidents and collisions at or in the vicinity of the bridge, which have caused great distress to people living there.

“If nothing is done to control the volume and speed of traffic using the bridge, I fear there could be further displacement of the walls which could ultimately have very serious consequences.”

The council's guidelines state that for action to be taken there has to be four or more personal injury accidents, or two crashes resulting in serious injuries or fatalities, within an 80-metre radius over a three-year period.

Guy McGregor, the council's portfolio holder for roads and transport, confirmed the accident record of the bridge did not meet the criteria, but did not rule out action in the future.

“In the past three years there have not been any injury accidents on that particular bridge,” added Mr McGregor. “We have to have a set point from where we look at safety schemes, but we are entirely flexible.”

The county council, Network Rail and Mr Blizzard are due to meet in the near future.

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